I’m the first to admit that I wasn’t exactly the New Wave kinda guy back in the 80s, but I’ll also be the first to admit that bands like Depeche Mode, the B52′s, Talking Heads and Gary Numan offered up some great music.
As short-lived as this renaissance was – signs of the creative psunami started rearing its head in the late 70s during the height of disco, with bands such as M (and their massive hit) Pop Musik shooting to Number 1 and staying on the charts for six – yes 6 months!
This was quickly followed by offerings from groups such as The Buggles and that catchy little ditty – Video Killed the Radio Star, and of course Devo.
Once the flood gates began to creak their way open – it wasn’t long before Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Pretenders and Joe Jackson started to make inroads into the musical pysche.
Before we knew it The Jam, Madness, Wall of Voodoo and Tears for Fears were million selling artists and the likes of the Bee Gees, The Eagles equally adept supergroups of the 70s were yesterday’s heroes.
Riding the swell that was ‘New Wave’ were other notables including The Cure, Thomson Twins, REM and Duran Duran.
Some, like The Police and U2 managed the seemingly impossible and transend the era and give rise to individual careers for performers such as Sting and Bono.
And for any conscientious objectors who would ordinarily thumb their noses as the talent list, take a moment to also consider that Blondie, Billy Idol, Simple Minds, Elvis Costello, The Clash and Eurythmics fit nicely into the genre.
But what offerings from any or all of the above rates as the best of the 80s?
Does Rock Lobster from the B52′s outshine say Men Without Hats and the Safety Dance?
Does Nena and 99 Red Balloons rank above Brass in Pocket from the Pretenders?
And while we can’t exactly re-live the 80s – we can at least supply an informed response to The question posed by The Monitors . . . .
Hey Doc!
I am not ashamed to admit that I love most of the songs and artists you cited above. In particular, Brass in Pocket… one of my faves. Although I must admit that whenever I hear 99 Red Balloons I can’t help but do that dance.. you know the one… very 80′s. Head down with a sort of march/skip mix.
My fave would have to be Dream Academy’s “Life in a Northern Town”… would that fit the bill or have I drifted into a different genre?
Hey Nat
Fits the bill nicely. Though even you have to admit surely that there were some 80s ‘hits’ that simply should never have been allowed to rule the airwaves.